Three people have died, as at least 60 firefighters are battling a massive five-alarm fire in a condominium building in Honolulu, Hawaii. Two people have reportedly been hospitalized in serious condition.
As of 4:45pm local time (10:45pm Eastern) the flames continued to spread to multiple floors.
By 4:30pm local time, the fire was raised from a four-alarm to a five-alarm, KHON reported.
More than 60 firefighters have responded to the Marco Polo building, where the fire began on the 26th floor of the 36-floor building around 2:20pm local time, according to HawaiiNewsNow.
“This lady’s voice, I’m not kidding you. I’m trembling. She’s like help me, help me, and I couldn’t see her because the smoke was so dark,” resident Teresa Sommerville told KHON. “All of a sudden the wind shifts and you see this lady is standing inside the lanai. She’s not standing over the edge or anything, and she’s like ‘Help me, help me.’”
According to the Associated Press, Honolulu Emergency Medical Services treated two patients and transported them in serious and stable condition to a hospital. Emergency medical technicians and two fire chiefs have been evaluating patients for smoke inhalation, and a triage center has been established in the building, AP reported.
The American Red Cross of Honolulu has also joined the emergency response, according to HawaiiNewsNow. A volunteer told the news outlet that the Red Cross is ready to house 800 people overnight if necessary.
Via RT. This piece was reprinted by RINF Alternative News with permission or license.